Massage therapy liability insurance is something that many new massage therapists overlook, sometimes because they do not realize they need it, but mostly because they are trying to save money, thinking that no one will ever sue them.

But I believe that a massage therapist should never touch a client, even a family member or close friend, without liability insurance. You just never know if something might go wrong.

Liability insurance is also known as errors and omissions coverage or malpractice coverage, something a physician would never be without. Massage therapists also deal with patients, called "clients" in the field of massage therapy. Massage therapists rarely get sued but protecting themselves and their business should be a priority. If you are not incorporated and a client sues you, you could lose all of your personal assets and belongings. If you are incorporated, you could lose your business assets, including your practice.

If you offer chair massage in offices, airports, conventions, stores, malls, etc., most places will not allow you to practice on their premises without liability coverage.

Massage therapy liability insurance is the massage therapist's version of physician malpractice insurance, only massage therapists have much cheaper rates than physicians do.

Most people love massage therapy, but what if your pressure is a little too hard and the client bruises easily? She can have photos taken, get a good attorney, and bam! You lose everything because you did not take the time or spend the money to protect yourself and your practice.

You may be held responsible for mistakes you make while giving a massage, like bruising the client or other damage to the client's soft tissue.

If you, as a massage therapist, get sued, your insurance carrier will pay one of its attorneys to represent you in court and defend you. It will pay a judgment against you up to the limit amount of your policy. So be sure to read the policy carefully before you sign up.

If a client sues a massage therapist and wins, this important coverage pays out any judgment found against you in a court of law, up to the maximum amount of the policy. The policies I have seen have a maximum amount of $1 million and $2 million.

For one year of massage therapy liability insurance coverage and peace of mind, expect to pay between $199 to $400, depending on who you get it through and the specifics of coverage.

If you belong to a professional organization of massage therapists, you can get coverage at a discounted rate. There are several massage and bodywork professional organizations that you can belong to. By paying the annual dues, some organizations give you this coverage free and others largely discount it. Most massage therapist magazines have advertisements and information about this coverage.

Believe me, if you are trying to cut corners, skip the aromatherapy machine or the fancy sound system, but don't skip massage therapy liability insurance. It is a necessity that no practicing massage therapist should be without.

It is important to note that there are very few malpractice suits against massage therapists. People like what we do! But maintaining a professional massage liability insurance policy is wise and is a necessary massage therapist insurance.

You should not practice massage without this important policy!